Victor Osimhen sends blunt Liverpool warning before Galatasaray comes to Anfield
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCVictor Osimhen signed permanently for Galatasaray from Napoli in July 2025 and the Nigerian international has been in fine form for the Turkish Super Lig champions this seasonVictor Osimhen during Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool.(Image: BSR Agency/Getty Images)Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has expressed confidence in his side's ability to withstand a second-leg Champions League comeback from Liverpool at Anfield next week.The Nigerian international believes the Turkish Super Lig champions possess the capability to "hurt" their hosts on home soil, despite away supporters being prohibited from attending the fixture after previous crowd trouble.Liverpool traveled to Istanbul as the overwhelming favorite for the first leg, yet having squandered a host of opportunities via the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, it found itself on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat after Mario Lemina headed home in the seventh minute.READ MORE: Ex-Liverpool star urges Arne Slot to capitalize on Tottenham woes with bargain transferREAD MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Galatasaray as Mohamed Salah and 5 more struggleOsimhen, who claimed Serie A glory during his time at former club Napoli, provided the assist for the match's only goal with an uncontested header and proved a persistent threat throughout the 90 minutes amid a thunderous atmosphere.Speaking to broadcaster TNT following the final whistle, he said: "We are a family together with the Galatasaray fans. I think we can hurt Liverpool in the second leg.
We have done a good job so far."Galatasaray secured a league and cup double last season and are once again setting the pace at the summit of their domestic competition — four points clear of fierce rivals Fenerbahce.Arne Slot applauds the travelling Liverpool supporters after the Champions League round of 16 first-leg loss at Galatasaray (Image: Yagiz Gurtug/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Osimhen arrived at The Lions on loan from Napoli in 2024, subsequently becoming the Super Lig's leading marksman before committing to a permanent deal in July 2025, despite attention from numerous elite European clubs.The 27-year-old striker has forged a strong bond with the club's faithful and was visibly emotional before kick-off when supporters displayed a massive tifo in the stands showing him cradling his children with his late mother looking down upon him.Beneath the tifo was a banner that read 'We are family and family is everything'.Discussing his connection with the club's supporters, Osimhen added: "I have been very happy since I arrived in this jersey. That's why it's very important to me."Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Osimhen has netted 18 goals in 27 outings across all competitions for Galatasaray this season, with seven of those coming in the Champions League.The round of 16 second leg takes place at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18 (8pm UK time kick-off). In the return leg, Liverpool will need to be much more in control of the game in order to progress in the tie.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCChampions League